Automatic box and cover assembling machine.



G. B. ALLEN. AUTOMATIC BOX AND COVER. ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 4, 1912. 1,068,034, Patented July 29 1913.

' -s snsnTe-snnnT1- INI W film/Mw mno@ G. B. ALLEN.

AUTOMATIC BOX AND COVER ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 4, 1912.

L068,O34.l Patented Ju1y22, 1913.

Wm-NESSES. INVENTOR- G.B.ALLBN. AUTOMATIC BOX AND COVER ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

.Patented July 22,' 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

B 7" gi 7 Ffy'gg VU will 1;. \Z) WTNESSES. INvENToR.

i inxiTnn sTATiis PATENT onirica.

GEORGE BION ALLEN, OFPAWTUCK ET,IRHODE ISLAND.

AUTOMATIC BOX ANI) COVER ASSEMBLING IVIACIIIIN'E.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented July 22, 1913.

Application filed November 4, 1912. Serial No. 729,342.l

To all far/0711, it may conce/rn.'

Be it known that l, (inoiioii Biox ALLEN, a citizen of the lnited States, residing at Pawtucket, iii the county of Providence and State of Rhode lsland,`ha"ve invented ccrtain new and useful lmproveii'ients invAutomatic Box and Cover Assembling Machines, of which the following is a specificacover members of the boxes and deliverv them properly assembled. That is to'say, the members, .comprising the boxes and covers, are automatically assembled or capped during their passage tlirouglrthe machine. tlici'eby producing a column of clos-ed individual yboxes which are discharged onto a traveling conveyer, arranged in turn to deliver them in a closely grouped state on a suitable base or table, from which `latter an attendant. removes and bundles,

them.

The" primary feature of the presentinvention consistsin providing a machine of the character referred to with means for causing the disconnected or separated units constituting the box or container members rand 'the corresponding cover members of boxes to be brought together, whereby each box is discharged from the machine ina normallyv closed state. the cover then beingsuperimposed and removably seated on the lower or container part. the respective parts of each box then properly registeringr with each other.

The invention further consists in a box and cover assembling' machine, the combination with a continuously traveling endless carrier for successivelyadvancing the spaced individual boxes to engage 'the covers positioncd in the path of the boxes. yieldingly -mounted rolls located above and forward spending boxes while they are passing under the rolls. l

The invention further consists in a box and cover assembling machine, the combina-y tion of an endless carrier for successively advancing the spaced individual box parts to engage the positioned covers, said containers or boxes having flexible foldablefly-leaves secured thereto, and normally stationary deflecting fingers positioned with respect ',to the moving boxes, whereby-.the

said fingers are adapted to engagevtheilyleaves and automatically deflect tliem .downward into the box in advance of placing the cover over it. y l

The invention further consists in an automatic box and cover assembling machine,

-having in combination vwith an endless continuously traveling conveyer,provided with uniformly7 spacedthin clip or lug members secured thereto, said lugs beingi spaced apart -to freely receive a box, and means for intermittently feeding a box unit upon the conyeyeiglso as to be engaged .and propelled by the adjacent rear lug, of a guided box-cover unit temporarily supported at an angle over the conveyer, having its forward lower' end lying in the pathnof the box, arranged whereby the latter, iii advancing, caused to enter the cove* aiid engage itsforward end and to forcibly withdraw the cover from its support or runway, the two ineinbers of the box then being propelled in'unison, and independently revoluble pressure- -rolls engageablevith the cover lfor causing it to -iiorinally close' the box.

The 4invention also consists in an automatic )ox and cover assembling machine having in combination with an endless tiexible conveyer adapted for continuous forward movement and provided at spaced intervals with lugsoutwardly fixed thereto, an inclined runway disposed with relation to the conveycr for containiingr a supply of box units, means actuated and controlled by said conveyer for releasing thebottoin unit from the lrunway to be engaged by a lug of the conveyer and 'at the same time arresting the then downwardly movingr column of said -units iii the runway, `a second runway supporting a column of cover units. the" lowermos'tcover havingits forward end portion extending below the upper edge of the advancing box unit, whereby the box, uponA entering the temporarily positioned cover v the transfer-belt being provided at comparawith the connected box and co'ver members f for telescopically closing the box.

:The invention also .consists in an automatic box and lcover assembling machine havingianr. endless traveling conveyer and a pair of independent runways disposed" tomatically closing the boxes. Fig. 14 is a 'side view,in reduced scale, sho-wing a modiwith relation thereto for holding the box and cover units in a disassembled state, the said bo-x vunits having protective fly-leaves secured therein, the combination therewith of means attached to the said conveyer for withdrawing the box and cover members from the respective runways, means for deflecting the said y-leaf or'y-leaves and normally positioning the lsame within the box body' while the latter is moving and before it engages the cover part, and means for closing4 or telescoping the members of the'box. The invention nation with an automatic box and cover assembling machine of the character described, having an inclined table at its rear end on to which the cover or fully closed boxes are successivelydischarged, o' an endless'boxtransferring belt moving in coperation with the box and cover assembling mechanism and disposed at an angle to saidtable,

tively short, uniform intervals with members or partitions forming independent spaces adapted to receive the said closed boxes singly from the table and deliver them in v a closely grouped state on a collecting platform. p

The invention also consists inthe combination with an automatic boxand cover assembling machine, of means coniiectedtherewith for auto-matcally changing the closed boxes normal position bodily 909 in a vertical plane and delivering them intermittently in a closely grouped column or row.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a side elev-ationcof an automatic box and cover assembling machine embodying my invention, some of the minor details being omitted. Fig. 2 is a corresponding top plan view. Fig. ,3 is an end ele- -vation of the machine viewed. from its right or delivery end. Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken on line 4 -4 of Fig. 2.' Fiff. 5,'is a corresponding top plan view, o? said portion. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional view, in enlarged scale, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2 at the front end of the machine.4 taken.

Tis a transverse sectional view, online 7-7 of Fig. Ll. Fig. 8 represents, enlarged, portions of the rearend ofthe machine, showing parts of the deliverychute and inclined conveyer mechanisms for automatically handling the normally close'd boxes. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the also consists in the combiupper portion of the last-named conveyer and stationary table or bench onto which the covered boxes are finally discharged. Figs. l0 to 13, inclusive, are longitudinal sectional views showing various positions of the box and cover units of the box while being subjected to the action of the yieldiiigly mounted cover-pressing rolls for aufcation of the said rolls; and Fig. 15 represents, on enlarged'scale, -a partial section showing the relation of the closed box 0 to `the lug o and'belt b before the box is deliv-v ered from the conveyer.

I would state that while my improved automatic boxand cover assembling machine isor may be adapted for use in connection with separable telescoping boxes or containershaving various forms and constructed from metallic or -iion-metallic material, and supplied to the machine in a charged or empty state, as desired, the drawings represent it in vconnection with comparatively shallow rectangular-shaped jempty boxes, in which the box or body and cover units thereof are made of suitable liber board, and in which the depth of the cover memberv is substantially the same as that of the box, which latter is enveloped by the cover. .The box, prior to entering'the runway, may be provided at the top edge along one or both its longitudinal sides with one or more fixed lfly-leaves adapted to be inturned o-r infolded llatwise into the interior of the'y respective boxes before the cover members/are actuated' to normally close the box.

The following is a more detailed description of the machine forming the subject of this application for patent, and also including the manner of its operation:

The machine as a whole is indicated by A, its members being represented in the normal 'operative relation and position.

It may be stated in advance 'that in the accompanyingV drawings and specification the left or feed end is termed the front end,

of the machine. A I

The supporting frame part proper, a, is shown as construct-ed of piping or tubing 'and the right or delivery end the rear end and suitable fittings, and having supporting legs resting on the base or floor f. At each end of the machine (see Fig. l) is mounted a revoluble supporting wheel b1 which car` ries an endless flexible co-nveyer-belt' b, provided longitudinally at suitably spaced apart intervals with ixed thin sheet. metal lugs or clips v. Continuoustraveling movement is imparted to the conveyer by means ofa beltdriven pulleyb2 secured to shaft b3 located at the rear or delivery .end of the main part of the machine. To said shaft is secured the corresponding conveyer-supporting wheel b1. i

the longitudinally I bar c1..

To the 4front or box and cover feeding end -4 ofthe machine is located an inclined run-- way oi' chute B for the box units n, the

vchutes lower end terminating near the up-.

per surface o f the conveyer b. The said terminal part isprovided with a tilting lever or stop E-see Figs. l and 6; its inner end having an upt-urned lip g normally supporting the column of said box units a... In normal act-ion. thev column of units are held in check by the said lip; the opposite or front end g1 of the lever is cam-shaped and positioned inthe path of the spaced lugs or clips e of the continuously traveling conveyer- '.belt, the arrangement being such that upon y 'the engagement. of each lug v with the cam g1, the lever thereby positively tilteth'thus depressing the lip g, thereby permitting the pressure of the inclined column of box membersl to automatically force the lowermost vadvance of the next VsucceedinglueI r ot' the 545 l the levers movements.

oneflatwise on the belty between a pair of tilztethen 'adjacent lugs. Immediately sucding the latter action, the lever automatically returns in time to 4place its lip g in position to temporarily 4arrest the vnext succeeding botto-m box, thereby holding the column in check and .preventing further movement until thenext release takes place. At the same time, too, the opposite or front` end of 'the lever becomes positioned again in moving belt b. A push-spring g1' may bel used in cooperation with the lugs to insure The lateral sides g2 of the chute are oppositely disposed: the

Vdistance between them forming a trough 'adapted to freely receive the units n.. In order to adapt the chute to receive units varying in size, .lor even when the latter are introduced sidewise instead of endwise, the said side walls are adjustable laterally by means of bolts passing through slotted openings g4, `in cooperation with securing nuts g?.

To' tliestationary table c are adjustably secured laterally separated sides gf, these latter .con-- stitutin-g va continuation of the guide chute. v At or near the rear or delivery endof the machine is positioned an inclined runway or chute- B1 for supportingand guiding the colin .in of cover units nl, the latter adapted to receive the unit-s n.. The drawings represent the chutes positionedor spacedapart corre,-` sponding to a multlplemfiumts'a. 'Ehe manL l runway B1 is constructed substantially like the-other front one, except that the nuitreleasing device of the former is omitted. `T he chute B1 is represented more clearly in base t3 ot' the chute is secured the sides it,

cover units nl so as to properly position them to register with and be successively engaged by the units a being propelled by the continuously traveling conveyer b therebelow. The sides ofthe-chute B1 'are capable of adjustment laterally, thereby adapting the trough to receive units vai'ying` in the runway B. I

of the-inacliine and contiguous to the .lower end portion of the chute Bl are mounted laterally separated, longitudinally extending flat guide plates t, t, capable of adjustment in a lateraldirection by means of bolts t2 plates; cap nuts fittingA the bolts serve to secure the plates in position. Oppositely located horizontal narrow gage strips-7n, of

cured to the vertical inner faces of the plates slightly exceeds the corresponding outer distance between thev sides ot' the units n; the

unit, -butsomewhat below the latter, say .about one-half the unit-s depth, thereby, .in connection with the parallel gage strips m1 secured to said plates t above the strips m., forming a narrow'ledgeor shoulder lagon each side to receive and support the lowermost cover unit until it is withdrawn bodily vancing body unit n. rlhe lateral distance between the strips m? is substantially the saine as the width of the covers. 1 It is lto be understood that, as represented, the depth of the side walls of bo'th nieinbers of the box are substantially alike, and so that when the members are normally closed or assembled, the body part yavis fully i'nclosedby or in the cover part nl. .See Figs. 13 and l5.

The manner of,asseii'il.)liii'g tlie boxV inembers is as `follows: the completed covers n" end, the closed faces being uppermost; the column of units slide by gravity until the lowermost one is. arrested by the two lateral frictionbrake,.as for example, a-liglit retarding spring s2 (Fig. 4), thus temporarily holding the column ot' units'in check and causing the lower edge of the forward units end'to'lie in the path of and below the upper edge of the advancing uniti n, the latter vfreely entering the cover chamber. Immeigliately thesaid`endnnenibers engage each Figs. i and To the upper side of the -arrai`iged to form a trough for guiding the size, substantially as stated withrcspcct to To the top of the stationary main table cv passing through slotted openings 'l in the suitable material (Figs. 4 and 7) are se! t; 'the lateral distance between these strips from the runway b v the action et' the-ad#v shoulders m2, in conne"tion with a suitableupperedges of theparts m lie parallel with the corresponding edge or topof the said i 'are fed into therear runway B1 at its upper vdownward to its limit, corresponding to the ported on .supported columns f1.

normally closed or assembled condition; the thus covered box being designated o. See Figs. 13 and 15. The said rolls r, r1, r2 are freely revolublein oppositely disposed side frames It? secured tothe plates t. I prefer to use gravity acting rolls; if desired, however, springs s4 maybe employed for varying the pressure of the rolls. See Fig. 14. The forward roll r isrevolublein side arms s1 secured to a shaft s movably supported in extensions of the frames its. The said brake-v spring 82 may be fixed to the shafts.

The rear or discharge endy portion of the table c is cut away (Fig. 2) to allow ,the traveling conveyer belt b and its lugs. a to pass downward therethrough Aat a point adjacent Athe revolving combined driving and carrier wheel b1. It is at this point that the closed boxes o are/intermittingly delivered singly onto an extension e of the table o. The said table part @has a downwardly inclined extension e1 disposed transversely of the machine, its lower portion having a slotted opening e2 in which a movable stop lever e3 is pivotally mounted. The outer end e* of the lever is'maintained in the normal depressed positio-n below the face of table e1 by g'ravity, while at the same time the levers upper end e5 is in engagement with the underside of the table.

A relatively short, upwardly inclined flexible endless transfer belt D is mounted on carrier wheels cl2, d3; the first-named wheel, cl2, being fixed to a suitably supported shaft Z actuated by a driving-pulley (l1. The belt D is.provided longitudinally with comparatively closely spaced partitioirlike lugs (Z4 disposed transversely thereof at substantially right angles or perpendicularly to-the belt-s face. The lower end of the inclined table e1 extends to or nearly to the face of the upwardlyv moving belt, the said slotted opening e2 freely permitting the pas sage therethrough of the lugs Zt-see Fig. 8. The upper end portion of the belt is supthe revoluble wheel d3, in turn A stationary platform f2 is also supported by the columns, its upper face being positioned so as to ret-ei 'e thereon the boxes 0 as they are delivered intermittently and successively from the `transfer-belt.

As thus constructed the boxes are discharged singly from the conveyer b onto the in bearings fixed to uprighty latter onto the continuously moving belt D y between a pair of its partitions d4. -Each of the latter in passing through 'the opening le2 engages the gravity dropped lever e3 and swings its end e1 upward imposition to serve as a stop to temporarily arrest and hold the box or boxes on the table e1 in check `until the active holding lug al* has passed, at which instant the lever e3 drops back below the tables face, thereby releasing the lowermost box to slide by gravity onto the belt before the next succeeding lug or partition actuates the lever again to position its end'et'in ad-A vance of the next succeeding box of the column. lVhile this intermittent action is taking place the assembled boxes 0 are being dischargedvendwise in a flatwise condition from the main conveyer onto the table members e, el, which, in cooperation with the moving belt D automatically changes the direction of the movement of the boxes from longitudinal to lateral and at the vsame time tilts the boxes and causes them to engage the belt D edgewise, correspondinCr to an angular change of 90 from their.former position. It is obvious that the normal speed ratios of the two belts b, D, are such as to prevent a. surcharged1 column of the covered boxes from accumulating on the table e, e1.

ln order that the cover part nl may readily receive the box part fn and be pressed down by the rolls to its normally closed condition without injury to the parts; the kneelike lugs or box-propelling members 'v are preferably made of thin sheet metal and mounted substantially as shown in Figs. 13 and 15, wherein the vertical arm of the lug lies between the adjacentl ends of the parts fu, and nl, the arrangement allows the closed boxes to be readily discharged from the conveyer and the respective lugs onto the table e, el, when the belt commences to flex itself of and slightly above the upper edge of the moving open units n, any fly-leaves `Z of the latter not already properly infolded, will, upon their engagement with the members Z1, be deflected downwardly and inwardly and caused to`\lie substantially flatwise in the units chamber. One or both of the side walls of the boxes may be provided with that the units a may be introduced into the runway B in an indiscriminate manner, z'. e., either end'foremost; the` base or bottomv side of the boxes, however, rest directly upon the lliectors Z1 (Figs. 4c and 5) located in the path lining leaves, -as desired. It is evident, too,

rover-attaching operation.

bottom of the chute and conveyer dui-ing the Now, assuming the runways B. lil, to be fontinuously supplied or charged with the'suitably arranged box and cover units a, a1,'respectively, and that the upper portion of the-traveling conveyor I), betweenthe lower ends of the run` ways, is already provided with a number vof body unitsa, as determined by the lugs t',

the-'forward movement of the belt causes the.

temporarily front lug to engage :and trip the stop E, thereby releasing the lower-most box, which slides direct .onto the belt. the stop imn'iedi'ately thereafter automatically7 returning to its normalV position to hold the column of boxes in check until again acted upon by the'succeeding lug yv. The y-leaves .Z of the units a., when the latter are released i from the runway B,- niaystand in various positions. Meanwhile the units on the moving conveyor successively pass the deiiectors Z1; these' latter at the same time engagethe fly-leaves and uniformly .position them -iiatwise within the box before its engagement with the cover iii'iit al. Vhile the foregoing movements are taking place the lower cover unit in the runway B1 is temporarilyY supported at an angle by the units side walls which rest on the oppositely arranged hoi-izontal inner shoulders m2, assisted by the light brake device s?, Figs. i and 10. The

- advancingl box "a enters the positioned cover and forcibly withdraws it trom-the runway to be acted upon bythe positioned. rolls fr, 7517 roll, 12, causing the cover to be lpressed downward flatwise over the box immediately the cover slides fromlthe supporting shoulders m2, the two parts hen appearing normally .connected or assembled telescopically, as 1ndicated by o. See Figs. 1 3 and lo. The thus assembled boxes. are. discharged singly upon the rear tabl-e 6,61, inturn disposed at an angle transversely of the conveyei" b. The vboxes 0 are delivered from the inclined partelof the table onto a continuously movable, upwardly inclined .transfer-belt D, ar#

ranged to receive and supporttheboxes in a segregated state. Such ,intermittent action inay be effected by a device (Fig. 8 hereinbefo-re described) actuated and controlled by the beltl itself. At the Sametime, too, the

arrangement may be such as to auton'iatically change the position of' the boxes 90o, as for example, from a tlatwise to an edgewise or sidewise position, thereby delivering the boxes from the belt D in a more closely grouped condition.

The 'upper end portion of the transferbelt D is disposed with respect to a stationary vplatform or .table jug-Fig. 3, ontowhich table'the covered boxes are delivered. ydirect from' the belt, each box thus delivered forcing the preceding boxes, by means, sayv of its partitions ornienibers'd, totorm a-col- 112, see Figs. l1 and 12.; the last-named l i l imm -of closely grouped boxes. Disposed abovethe column ot supported boxes is positioned a. .suitably mounted transparent topplate f3, by means of which the attendant is enabled to readily see and determine when #lo the. column or' boxes is of tliedesired length for removal and bundling.

lt may be added that while the function .and action oi devices embodied in my. im-

proved box l'and cover assembling machine `have been described to some extent independently for the salie of cleai'ness, it is obvious that'somc ot" them act concurrently,4 in others the actions take place in a suitably timed successive order of sequence.' while the conveyor inembci-s proper. 7;. and D, are actin vated in a continuous inaniiei'. l would also add thatI obviously the box and cover meinbers may be supplied to the respective runwaysl in a sidewise state instead ot endwisc, it desiredfby simply varying the distance between the lateral sides ot the chutes and vadjusting other parts ot the machine correspondingly.

vWhat lV claim and ldesire to secui'e'by United ,States Letters latent is lfln an automatic box and cover assem bling machine., the-combination with an endless tiexible conveveibelt having longitudinally spaced lugs secured on its upper .side or ruin and means for continuously inoving the belt in a longitudinal dii'ecticn` of a front chute arranged. above the conveyer for holding box body units, means cooperablc with said chute adapted, when in normal use, foi successively releasing the lowermost box body units singly Lfrom the chute-onto .the Vconveyer between a pair of its said lugs. respectively, a second 'chute for holding cov-er units, the lowerinost cover unit auto' inatically positioning itself in the path otl ,the said-conveyer carrying the boxv body units, whereby the said positioned cover unit is adapted to be drawn bodily from the chute by the box bodyunit, means foi-successively pressing the cover members onto.the respective box body members and closing the boxes while the latter are'beiiig propelled by' the conveyer-belt, and means for successively discharging the thus assembled boxes from 2. In a machine of the general character.' described, 4the combination with'an endless yconveyer having suitably spaced .lugs se- 'cured'thereto, and means't'or continuousl v actuating the conveyor, of a chute disposed I at airaiigle above the con'vcyer tor holding a column of box units. means actuated and controlled bythe moving conveyer for interi mitt-iiigly releasing units from said chute onto the' conveyer', a second chute positioned 'at an angle above the conveyer and in advance of the first-named chute` tor'holding al column of cover units, means for supportioo ing the lower coi` er member in the chte-linll" a temporarily stationary position in the path of the next succeeding box unit, whereby, when in use, the latter in advancing engages said lower cover unit and draws it bodily from its runway,'and one or more guided gravity acting rolls mounted above the cover y for causingv the latter to be pressed downward tonormally cover orclose the box whilet'he thus-assembled members are pass- 10 ing under the rolls.

3. In a machine of the general character described, the combination with an endless oo nveyerbelt having suitably spaced lugs `secured thereto, and means for continuouslyv actuating the conveyer element, of a front lchute arranged to hold box units, and means actuated by the conveyer to release the lower box unit from said `chute direct. onto the conveyer to be 'enUaged by one of its lugs.

4. In a machine of the general character described, the combination with an endless Y conveyer provided with light, spaced apart.

l lugs, means for driving the conveyer in a vcontinuous manner, a chute located above the-conveyer for holding a column of open l:V-b'ox units, said units having fly-leaves se- -cured thereto, and a second chute, also located above the conveyer in advance of the first-named chute for holding a column of y cover units,'of means for intermittingly releasing the said y-leaf carrying box units from the chute singly onto the conveyer, means posit-ioned intermediate the chutes for automatically deflecting the fly-leaves down- 9'5 ward into the cavities of the respective box units prior to the 'latters engagement with the covers'and means for automatically adjusting the cover units to the box units.

5. In 'a machine of the general character 40 described, the combination with a suitably mountedv longitudinally extending endless conveyer-belt having spaced lugs, means for driving the belt in a continuous manner, and

/eans for intermittingly feeding box units :igly onto the conveyer so as to be propelled in unison therewith, of a stationary runwayl for holding cover units and automatically positioning and supporting them singly in the path of the box unit, whereby,

- 5'@ when in use, the box unit is caused to enter and engage the forward end of the said supported cover and draw the latter from its support, a. yielding brake or tension device for initial engagement with the coverpwhile it is being thus moved, and independently mounted rolls for pressing the cover downward to its normal limit over the box unit before thethus assembled box and cover members are discharged from the machine. y6. In a machine of the general character described, the combination with an endless conveyer arranged to be driven in a continuous manner, and means for intermittingly feeding box units singly onto vthe conveyer so as to be propelled in unison therewith, of

` an inclined stationary Ychute for holding a column of box cover units, the `lower end of the chute being open and arranged for the passage of box units thereunder, a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extend-A ing stationary guide members constituting supporting shoulders lying about midway of the height of the box, said -shoulders adapted to temporarily support the lower end portion of the cover unit while the other or upperportion rests in the chute, means to cause the upper edge part of the box unit to enter the cover chamber and draw the cover from its chute, means for pressing the cover down evenly over the box until arrested by 30 said supporting shoulders to cause a partial closing, and means for completing the normal closing of the box after it is advanced beyond the supporting shoulders.

7. In an automatic box and cover assemg5 bling machine of the general character d-escribed, provided witha mounted endless main conveyer arranged for continuous endwise movement, a chute arranged with respect to said conveyer for holding box units, and a similarly arranged chute for holding f cover units, the combination therewith of means for interinittingly discharging a box unit from its said chute directly onto the conveyer to be `propelled by and in unison j with it, means for supporting aecover unit at the lower end 4of its chute and in the path of the advancing box unit, the latter upon engaging the cover causing it to be drawn bodily from its chute, means engageable with the cover for pressing it downward to` its limit to normally close the conveyer-pro- Y pelled box, an inclined stationary table hav-` Ving a movable stop at its lower or free end for temporarily arresting the closed boxes discharged from the conveyer, a movable secondary Vendless conveyer disposed at an angle to said table and timed toy coperate with the main conveyer, and spaced partitions or lugs fixed to the secondary conveyer, 11o adapted when in use to engage said stop land successively release the closed boxes,

whereby the latter fall by gravity from the inclined table singly onto the face of the last-named conveyer, the partition members thereof at the same time causing the boxes to automatically change the plane of support from a flatwise position to a vertical one before they are finally discharged from the machine.l S. In an automatic box and cover assem bling machine of the general character de! scribed, provided with a mounted main endless conveyer arranged for continuous endwise movement, a chute arranged; with respect to said conveyer for holding box units, and a similarly arranged second chute for, holding cover units, the combination therewith of means for intermitt-ingly discharging the lowermost box units singly from the tirst-'named' Chute direetly 'onto the mov-ing eover units in a temporaril)7 stationary position at the lower end of the said second chute. in the path .ofthe advancing box units, wher-eb)Y vthe latter is Caused to engage the respective covers and draw them from the cover-holding Chute, means. for yieldingly pressingv the cover and box units together to normall)v assemblethennas in closing the boxes, and means consisting of an upwardly inclined traveling endless eonveyer-belt provided with spaced lugs or armsarranged to be engaged by the closed boxes delivered' singly from the saidxma'in eonveyer, for au- 'tomatieall'v yChanging' the 'position of the boxes 90C in a vertical plane relatively to the main oonveyerl before the V boxes are' tinall)v discharged from.l the machine.

9. In an automatiobox and cover assembling maehne having an endless main conveyer-'belt mounted for continuous movement and arranged to posltiv'ely convej7 spaced box umtsl temporarily posltloned therem. the combination therewith ot' means adapted to tonmorarily support the lowermostvone of a column of eover umts 1n a relatlvel)Y stationary position v1n the path of the box unit wherebv7 when in use the moving conveyor-belt Causes the box unitto Aengage the said positioned lowermost cover unit and-Carr)Y the latter along with 1t, and a plurality of 'independently mounted revoluble yweight rolls arranged to engage the upper face of the cover and gradually7 force it downward over the box, thereb)v normally.

Closing the. box. l n' 'testimony whereof Ivhave atlixed my Signature in -presence of t'wowitnesses,

GEORGE BION ALLEN. lVitnesses.:

Guo. H. REMINGTON, CALvIN H. BRowN. 

